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Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility if you choose to build and use this . High temperatures and warm sagging plastic (polystyrene) can be dangerous if mishandled. Please use caution and be prepared when using materials next to a heating element.

I was going through some old files and found this image and figured I should throw it up. I actually built this several years ago and it served me well with all kinds of miscellaneous parts. The image is somewhat basic, sorry I don't have exact measurements. It all is based off the size of the frame that fits in an oven. This is a basic table that uses a shop-vac for vacuum. Cheers.

hey, im new to prop building and want to do some vac forming. I know the basics of how it works but what kind of plastic do you use and where can I get it?

Most people use HIPS (high impact polystyrene) or abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). I found it best to track down a local source, since shipping is quite expensive unless you are buying a lot of it.

Volume also helps. You'll pay a lot more per sheet if you buy 1 sheet vs. 50

Very cool guide! I agree that the home built wire heaters are a bit scary. I ended up spending quite a lot on the heating elelements for mine, bought from someone smarter than me who figured out all the materials, measurements and electrical requirements for me

Nice video - clear and concise! I was surprised to see that you used such a relatively week vacuum (as opposed to an industrial shop-vac) and yet it came out so well. You inspired me to make my own instead of renting. By the way, you would make an excellent C3PO!

I've only recently started building various replica props, (I've completed a full size 'Portal' companion cube, a full height, half depth 50's style British police box, {T.A.R.D.I.S.}, a flux capacitor, & I'm starting on a replica of Han's ESB blaster), but - if I ever wanna' make somethin' more than a one-off - I think that I might have to put somethin' together like this pretty soon.